THERE ARE THOSE WHO SING

(for William Martin, 1925-2010)

There are those who sing,

poets

with the breath of thrushes;

who craft songs

from out of their deep roots,

whose verse roars

with the sea

and the sky

and the pain of the land.

In the cathedral

of their hearts,

their tunes rise up

and fill the heavens

with flocks of words.

They are few

and far between,

these fliers

of lyrics.

Above plodders

and traipsers

of verse,

they reach for real stars,

pluck at galaxies

and dreams

of word symphonies,

anthems

that soar for centuries.

William, my friend,

you were 

one of these,

a fatherer of folk hymns,

a Durham choirman,

singing quarryman,

carving out poems 

with his pick and soul.

On a piano keyboard

of a dictionary,

you composed

a music festival 

of passionate poetry. 

KEITH ARMSTRONG

  

GRONINGEN/NEWCASTLE LITERARY TWINNING CELEBRATION

Poet Doctor Keith Armstrong and folk musician Gary Miller are back in Newcastle's twin city of Groningen at the end of September and early October 2010 when they will perform in Groningen's International School, Haren Library (with a specially commissioned poem by Armstrong for Haren's 850th anniversary and a recital of the poems of Charles Dickens) and at O'Ceallaigh's Irish Bar with Groningen poets, including Ronald Ohslen and Rense Sinkgraven. Armstrong will be performing many of his Groningen poems, written after many visits to the city, with some settings by Miller.

Plans are afoot for a further visit by Groningen poets to Newcastle in 2011. 

A Groningen delegation made up of poets, publishers, journalists and cultural officers and headed by Councillor for Culture Jaap Dijkstra visited Newcastle in September 2008 and a special performance evening was held at the Ouseburn Boathouse with readings by the Groningen poets and their Newcastle counterparts incuding Keith Armstrong, Paul Summers and Ellen Phethean. 

Successful events were also held in Newcastle in October 2007 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the literary twinning between the respective cities, including a poetry and music evening at the Bridge Hotel and a reception with the City's Lord Mayor.

The new Groningen City Poet Rense Sinkgraven took part, along with fellow Groningen poet Willem Groenewegen, and Nick J. Swarth (City Poet of Tilburg) added colour to the celebrations.

The poets were joined by twinning pioneers Professor Helen Wilcox and jazz performer Allan Wilcox (on double bass and piano) and Groningen Cultural Officer Marieke Zwaving.

Keith Armstrong led the team of Newcastle performers with fellow poets Paul Summers, Poetry Jack, Catherine Graham, Ian Horn and Mick Standen. 

Armstrong has now registered some thirty visits to Groningen since he pioneeered the link in 1992 with fellow poet Julia Darling. Since then there have been readings in pubs, universities, libraries, and schools and at breakfast parties, festivals, cabaret clubs and civic centres in both cities.

For the record, here's a list of those artists who have made it happen so far:

Groningen literary/cultural visitors to Newcastle since 1992:

Rense Sinkgraven, Marieke Zwaving, Jaap Dijkstra, Tine Bethlehem, Albertina Soepboer, Tsead Bruinja, The Poets from Epibreren (Bart FM Droog, Tjitse Hofmann, Paul Jainandun Singh, Jan Klug), Sieger M. Geertsma, Ronald Ohlsen, Anneke Claus, Willem Groenewegen, Anton Scheepstra, Eric Nederkoorn, Herman Sandman, Emiel Matulewicz, Jeroen Engels, Entre'acte jazz duo (Allan Wilcox, Sina Keuning), Janny Boerma, Helen Wilcox, Henk Muda, Klaas Drenth, Emmeke Schurink-Plas, Willem Smit.

Newcastle visitors to Groningen since 1992:

Keith Armstrong, Julia Darling, The Poetry Virgins, Paul Summers, Ian Horn, Tony Whittle (photographer/musician), Ann Sessoms (Northumbrian Piper), Chris Ormston (Northumbrian Piper), Chris Hartnett (singer/songwriter), John Earl, Alan Clark (Nod), Dave Gaston, Michael Standen, Marie Little (singer), Gary Miller (singer/songwriter).

FURTHER INFORMATION: NORTHERN VOICES, TEL. 0191 2529531.

jingling geordie!

BOOKS ON TYNE, NEWCASTLE BOOK FESTIVAL




Newcastle City Library
Charles Avison Building
33 New Bridge Street West
Newcastle upon Tyne.


Saturday 6 November Room 8, Level 6 (Local Studies).






4pm The Jingling Geordie
Dr Keith Armstrong gives a lively reading of his Newcastle poems.






It’s free, but booking is advisable. Book this session in advance by phoning 0191 2774100, emailing information@newcastle.gov.uk, or just ask a member of staff at City Library.

THE SPANISH CITY (1910-2010)

A CELEBRATION OF WHITLEY BAY'S ICONIC DOME IN WORDS AND PICTURES

EDITED BY KEITH ARMSTRONG & PETER DIXON

FUNDED BY NORTH TYNESIDE COUNCIL


BOOK LAUNCH

WHITLEY BAY PLAYHOUSE, MARINE AVENUE, WHITLEY BAY FRIDAY 22ND OCTOBER 2010 6PM

POEMS AND STORIES BY KEITH ARMSTRONG, STEVE BROWN, GEOFF HOLLAND, DAVE ALTON, GORDON PHILLIPS, CATHERINE GRAHAM, RACHEL COCHRANE, ALAN C. BROWN, TREVOR LEONARD, STAN GRAHAM, SHAUN PRENDERGAST, BRIAN HALL

ADMISSION FREE

FURTHER INFORMATION: NORTHERN VOICES TEL. 0191 2529531